- Tuesday, 8/20/19 Caught
up in a besetting sin? Entangled in an impossible situation? Blown it (AGAIN)?
Psalm 86:3, Be merciful unto me, O Lord:
for I cry unto thee daily. Keep crying; keep trying.
Proverbs 13:7, There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. Sadly, most of our mental energy and focus, and most of our physical exertions are for things that will, ultimately, make us poor. Doubly sadly, little of our output will make us truly rich. We must examine our lives, and do some conscious re-ordering and re-prioritizing. It can be a trite saying, but, REALLY, what will THAT matter in 100 years?
- Wednesday, 8/21/19 Proverbs 14:12, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Often applied to the means of salvation, this verse also is a guide to our daily living. The argument could be made for most sins that it is a “good” thing to do, a “logical” “worthwhile” use of our time. Use God’s mind (Bible) and His viewpoint to order your activities today. Mark 2:4, And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith... I’ve never had this much love or faith in trying to connect someone to Christ... ‘guess I’ve got a LONG way to grow.
- Thursday, 8/22/19 Psalm 119:5, O that my ways (manner of living) were directed to keep thy statutes! Does your daily schedule, hobbies, habits, pastimes, help or hinder your spiritual walk? What could be changed to protect your level of spirituality? Psalm 119:165, Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. The word “offend” doesn’t mean “get your feelings hurt.” It means to cause to stumble and fall. It’s more of a mortal blow rather than a paper cut. Bottom line: how is your relationship to the Bible? How much do you read? It’s food for our souls, and I believe most Christians in 2019 look like spiritual concentration camp victims, and their plight is their own fault. Go pick up a King James and start anew. If you’d like help designing your own custom reading schedule (you’ll adhere to it better cuz it’s YOURS), or if you’d like one of the several I’ve designed, let me know. (Don’t wait until January 1 to start an annual trip through the Bible.)
- Friday, 8/23/19 Acts 12:23, And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. When complimented, be sure to deflect the praise to the Lord. Notice the word, “immediately.” None of us have anything to brag about. Proverbs 7:2, [My son] keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. We use the phrase “apply of my eye” to refer to something dear. It actually refers to the reflection of a person who is close to the eye, and causes a reflection of “a little man. So, do you look at the Bible like one lover looks at another? Or as a parent looking at their newborn squirming in their arms? THAT’S how we should feel about His law. (‘guess we [ME] have some room for growth...)
- Saturday, 8/24/19 Psalm 99:1a, The Lord reigneth. Let these 3 words calm you in times of trouble; reassure you in times of disaster; warn you in times of temptation; motivate you in times of service; propel you in times of laziness; and excite you at all times. The Lord reigneth. Amen and Amen!! Philippians 3:2, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. “Dogs” refers to one of an impure, impudent (immodest) mind. This would be one who is so practiced at impurities that there is no shame anymore. “Evil workers” refers to those of bad character, who attempt to hurt others. “Concision” is a derisive term referring to Jewish circumcision and those who were circumcised in body, but not in heart. So, the letter of the law without the spirit and compassion of Christ. So, in a shortened form: watch the crowd you run with so as to not become like them. (Note: if we do not judge and categorize our associates, there would be no means to obeying this verse. Don’t fall into the popular error of “we’re not to judge anyone else...” YES WE ARE!!! The command in Matthew 7 means to not judge outside of your given, proper boundaries. I ABSOLUTELY AM supposed to judge you if you have the potential to influence me or my family.)
- Sunday, 8/25/19 Psalm 123:2, Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Despite your circumstances, God IS good and DOES love you. So don’t quit...UNTIL. Ever had someone taunt you with something that they knew scares you? It made you mad, right? Consider this verse: Proverbs 20:2, The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. Off the wall thought and question: what is your boss scared of, and thus, what angers him? To taunt him with it seems to be a sin. Your thoughts?
- Monday, 8/26/19 Psalm 126:3, The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Are you obviously a happy Christian? You’re saved; live in America; are able to read, walk, think, talk, laugh, sing, eat, see, aren’t you? You’ve got police, fire, and EMS personnel at hand. You’ve a Bible and a church? Relatively safe existence? Healthcare available? People who care for you? He’s done great things for you...remember it and thank Him. Amos 8:11, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Consider the difference between a fast and a famine. A famine comes upon someone; a fast is chosen by the person. A fast can be ended at will; a famine cannot. A famine is of lengthy duration whereas a fast is relatively short-lived. Lesson? We can put away the Word of God so long and so often that HE will not speak to us anymore for a LONG time. He’ll make us starve. Honestly, what is your reaction to the Bible? Tell Him you love It and appreciate the fact that you have (multiple) copies of It, and then show the world that you are in love with “the ol’ black Book.”
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